Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reserve a place over the phone for my child?

No. Bookings are normally made online and are not complete until valid payment has been received by the Centre.

Medical / need to know /bed wetting/allergies

For your child to have the best and safest time possible with us, it is crucial that you alert us to anything you think we need to know. There are very few things that we haven’t come across before and our staff are excellent at discreetly supporting, encouraging and keeping an eye out for whatever needs to be actioned.

My child is quite a fussy eater. What happens if they don’t like the food?

We have an amazing catering team who produce delicious, child-friendly, fresh food. Whilst we will always accommodate dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan etc) we cannot accommodate individual preferences. The variety within each meal should mean that even the fussiest of eaters will be catered for.

Does my child need to bring any money, sweets or snacks?

We have a CYE shop which sells various things such as postcards, CYE teddies, pens etc. Previously we found that selling sweets was counter-productive and whilst the kids enjoyed it, the teachers and instructors didn’t benefit as much from 30 young people full of E–numbers. We normally recommended about £5 spending money for a residential stay.

Can they use their mobile during their stay?

We strongly advise you to leave mobile phones and other electronic equipment or valuables at home. Phones can easily be damaged or ruined by contact with water – even by damp hands!

Can my child ring home?

Unless it’s really urgent, we encourage them not to. Very few children miss their families to the extent that they need to talk with them when on a residential. However we would of course allow this in any situation where it was necessary.

My child cannot swim. How will you make sure that they are safe?

Children and staff alike are only allowed near the water (from the jetty onwards) if they are wearing a properly fitted buoyancy aid. Buoyancy aids will keep a person completely afloat until they are attended to, regardless of whether they can swim or not. If your child has any concerns over being on the water, let us know beforehand and we will make sure that both you and they are reassured and communicated with accordingly.

Can I drop my child off an hour before the course is due to start due to my logistics for the day?

Sorry but this is not possible. We cannot look after children outside of course hours unless under exceptional circumstances and with prior agreement.

Can my friend pick up my child?

Yes. We require written confirmation from the child’s parents / guardian so that we can sign them out at the end of the day.

What if my child has an injury prior to coming to CYE and cannot participate in any activities?

If it’s a residential stay (school group, summer camp, Get Active etc), they will still benefit hugely from being away with their friends. We will accommodate them as much as possible to ensure that they still get the full CYE experience. For example, a child with an arm in plaster might accompany one of the instructors in a Safety boat for the afternoon.

If your child is on a specific sailing or paddling course and their injury means they cannot participate, please call us to discuss the options (this would be covered by your own accident insurance if applicable – call us for further details)

Can my child share a cabin with their friend?

Probably. You will be asked on your application form if your child would like to share a cabin with anyone in particular. In all cases we will try to accommodate all requests but ultimately cannot guarantee this.

Is there parking at CYE ?

Yes but it is limited. If you are dropping off your child, we would ask that you do this as quickly as possible. The car park is shared with Cobnor Activity Centre and can get very congested at pick up and drop off times.

I can’t afford the fees – is there any financial assistance I could seek?

We offer a Bursary to those who need it the most. It’s discreet, confidential and may be able to pay up to 50% of the fees. Download the form and send it into us or read more about the Bursary Fund here.

Are your staff Police checked / DBS?

Yes. We also have our own robust internal self-certification policy for anyone who is not ‘front line’ staff who and who has indirect involvement with our guests (admin staff, maintenance team etc). If you would like to discuss anything to do with our Child Protection Policy, please contact the office.

When you say there will be some ‘Christian content’ what does this mean?

CYE Sailing Centre is a Christian charitable organisation. Everyone who works at the centre (and board of Trustees) shares the Christian faith. Whilst we believe that this is the foundation to what we do and why we do it, we are realistic and understanding of everyone’s beliefs and views – from Atheism through to committed Christian. Our aim is to share what we believe with our guests in a relevant, engaging and exciting way – whether that be going on a nightwalk and posing questions about creation or talking through the very best attributes of our characters – which we believe are God given.

What happens if my child is ill and unable to come to CYE?

We strongly advise you to take out travel insurance when you book a course at CYE. It may be possible in exceptional circumstances to refund your payment. Our refunds policy is set out fully in our Terms and Conditions.

What happens if my child gets ill while they are with you?

All of our staff hold up-to-date First Aid qualifications and are competent at dealing with minor emergencies. If it is deemed necessary to seek professional help then a child can be taken to either Southbourne Surgery or St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester.

My child left some of her belongings at the Centre. Can you send them to us?

We keep lost property items for a maximum of 1 week before giving them to charity. In order to return them we ask you to set up an account with Hermes (https://www.myhermes.co.uk/) and arrange collection by courier.

Is my child insured whilst at CYE? What is your policy?

If they come with an organised group (school, youth group etc.) then any insurance will be covered by the group prior to booking. If the child attends one of CYESC’s calendar events then the Centre has £10m Public Liability policy in force – details of which are available upon request. We strongly advice that parents ensure their children are covered either by their existing household insurance or take out a specific policy to cover their time at the Centre. A policy can be purchased from Access Insurance Co. Ltd. Tel: 020 8651 7420 web: www.accessinsurance.co.uk.